Daily Comment on News and Issues of Interest to Michigan Lawyers

August 2015

08/25/2015

Want your voice heard by the Michigan Supreme Court on one or more proposed changes to court rules? Here's your chance. The court will hold a public administrative hearing from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Sept. 16 at the Hall of Justice in Lansing to examine one proposed new court rule, and proposed amendments to 13 existing court rules.

If you want your voice heard, you must reserve space on the agenda in advance by emailing admcomment@courts.mi.gov no later than Sept. 14.

08/17/2015

The Michigan Supreme Court announced today that Justice Mary Beth Kelly will leave the court, effective Oct.1, to return to private practice.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to have served on our state's highest court," she said in a statement. "I leave the Supreme Court knowing that our judicial system is better equipped to help families and children."

Prior to serving on Michigan's high court, Justice Kelly served as a Wayne County Circuit Court judge from 1999 to 2010. She is the only woman to have ever served as chief judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court.

08/11/2015

The State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners voted during their July 24 meeting to approve the launch of a new Marijuana Law Section.

The SBM Marijuana Law Section will serve to improve and expand the knowledge of lawyers who engage in the practice of marijuana law. The new section will study the principles, regulations, statutes and legal developments that affect Michigan marijuana law and will encourage and promote reforms in the law and provide educational and networking opportunities for its members, ensuring that they can stay up-to-date in the midst of rapidly evolving changes.

Bernard A. Jocuns will serve as acting chairperson of the new section until it holds an organizational meeting in 2016 to elect membership and begin organizing committees to facilitate its work.

08/07/2015

The Michigan Supreme Court appointed three new chief judges earlier this week.

Chief Judge Gary J. Bruce replaces retired Chief Judge Thomas E. Nelson in the Berrien Unified Trial Court. Judge Bruce was first elected to the court in 1998 and has overseen the criminal division. Prior to his work as a judge he worked in private practice and served as a Berrien County assistant prosecuting attorney. He earned his law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Chief Judge Jeffrey G. Barstow replaces retired Chief Judge William A. Hupy in the Menominee Probate Court. He also serves as chief judge of the 95A District Court in Menominee and was first elected in 1984. He earned his law degree at South Texas College of Law.

Chief Judge Freddie G. Burton Jr. replaces Chief Judge Milton Mack Jr. in the Wayne County Probate Court. Judge Burton was first elected in 1987. Prior to serving as a judge, he practiced law, served as a Wayne County Commissioner and a public administrator. He earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Judge Mack became State Court Administrator in July.

08/06/2015

The Michigan Supreme Court appointed two judges to business courts on Tuesday.

Judge Lita M. Popke will serve on the 3rd Circuit Business Court in Wayne County. Judge Popke has served on the Third Circuit bench since 2000, and served in the court's civil division since 2012. Prior to that she practiced business law. She is a former president of the Michigan Judges Association and has served as a faculty member of the Michigan Judicial Institute New Judges Seminar. She earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Judge Popke replaces retiring Judge Daniel P. Ryan.

Judge Richard L. Caretti will serve on the 16th Circuit Business Court in Macomb County. He has served on the 16th Circuit bench since 2002 and currently serves as the presiding judge for the court's civil division. He previously practiced business law for 23 years. He has also served as a Settlement Conference judge for the Michigan Court of Appeals and he earned his law degree from the Detroit College of Law. He also served as a police officer in the Detroit Police Department. Judge Caretti will serve in a newly-added position.

08/04/2015

Governor Rick Snyder appointed Terence "T.J." Ackert to the Kent County Probate Court.

Ackert has practiced law with Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey PLC since 2007, with a focus on general litigation, including business litigation, dispute resolution, and insurance defense. He previously practiced law at Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge.

Ackert earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Toledo College of Law.

He fills the vacancy created by Judge Jay Quist, who moved to the 17th Circuit Court bench. He must seek election in November 2016 for a full six-year term.

08/03/2015

The American Bar Association Judicial Division awarded their 2015 Judicial Education Award to the Michigan Judicial Institute on July 31 in Chicago. The award recognizes the MJI for its successful efforts in providing high quality judicial education and training to Michigan judges.

MJI provides educational resources to Michigan judges, judiciary employees and the general public in the form of materials such as reference guides for judges, live seminars and webinars for judicial employees, oversight of the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center, juror orientation videos and IMPACT email and podcast service that delivers summaries of recent court and legislative activities.

"The resources we offer help courts statewide be more efficient and enhance service to the public," said MJI Director Dawn McCarty. "This award is a credit to our most valuable resource — our staff, who is dedicated to serving the trial courts."

The MJI is a unit of the State Court Administrative Office, the administrative arm of the Michigan Supreme Court.